MTN faults Osun govt on N900 million tax evasion claims

NSE implores state to boost capacity of engineers

Telecommunications operator, MTN, has faulted claims by the Osun State government that it owed the state N900 million for unpaid taxes on the rollout of its fibre cables in the state.

The state government had through its consultant, Global Transactions Nigeria Limited, alleged that MTN laid over 270 kilometres of cables in the state but refused to pay statutory taxes to the tune of over N900 million.

The consultant said operating in the state without adhering to relevant laws and regulations, along with having substantial unpaid bills, was a negative sign.

While it has not said anything formally, a document sighted, at the weekend, showed that the agreement was between MTN and Odu’a Infraco (one of the licensed infrastructure companies licensed by the Nigerian Communications Commission to cover the west).

The document revealed that MTN has settled its fees to Odu’a Infraco based on a binding RoW contract between Osun State and Odu’a.

During the period referenced, the document showed that MTN legally partnered with the Odu’a Investment Company – in which the Osun State government has a significant shareholding, to lay cable in their fibre ducts in the state. This was based on the documented existing RoW approvals for Odu’a’s ducts provided by the Osun State Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology.

In addition to the document, an insider source told The Guardian that the actual dispute is between the Osun State government and Odu’a Infraco over the RoW fees for fibre infrastructure deployment.
IN another development, the President of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) has urged the Osun State government to enhance the engineering sector by developing the capacity of practitioners within the state.

The NSE, therefore, proposed capacity building for local engineers, the development of a comprehensive policy document and industrialisation roadmap, and specialised training programmes in prepaid meter installation and solar technology.

President of the NSE, Margaret Oguntala, appealed during a visit to Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke in Osogbo, at the weekend.

Oguntala lauded the state government for its landmark infrastructure initiatives and unwavering support for the engineering profession.

He also commended the transformative projects led by the government, particularly the N100 billion infrastructural initiatives launched in 2023.

Reacting, Adeleke re-affirmed the government’s infrastructure development as a key driver of economic growth.

Adeleke said that efforts are ongoing to elevate the infrastructure, and support sustained economic development and good governance.